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James L. Volling

Senior Counsel

Overview

Jim Volling is a commercial litigator who puts decades of experience, Supreme Court clerkship experience and client commitment to work for businesses. He has represented corporate clients in complex commercial disputes valuing up to several billion dollars, as well as representing individuals and institutions in white collar criminal matters and investigations.

Commercial Litigation

Jim has appeared in state and federal trial courts in every region of the country, and he has argued appeals in several federal and state appellate courts.

Jim's experience includes extensive work in:
  • Antitrust, securities and shareholder litigation
  • FCPA investigations and voluntary disclosures to the SEC and DOJ
  • Consumer class actions
  • False Claims Act
  • RICO
  • Breach of contract
  • Breach of warranty
  • Fraud

White Collar Criminal Defense

Jim has handled federal and state cases alleging:
  • Misapplication of bank funds
  • Securities fraud
  • Mail fraud
  • Wire fraud
  • Bank fraud
  • Government program fraud
  • Antitrust, export, customs, commercial bribery, environmental and Hobbs Act violations

When corporations and other institutions suspect criminal and other misconduct, Jim leads their internal investigations and represents them in government investigations.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

Minnesota

Clerkships

United States Supreme Court, Hon. Warren E. Burger, 1980-1981
U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit, Hon. Roger Robb, 1979-1980

Education

George Washington University Law School
J.D. with high honors, Order of the Coif, George Washington Law Review (executive editor) (1979)

Harvard University
A.B. cum laude (1976)

Insights & Events

Leadership & Community

Pro Bono

  • The Law Firm Pro Bono Project — Advisory Committee
  • Human Rights
  • Death Penalty
  • Education

Civic Activities

  • U.S. Magistrate Judge — Candidate Recommendation Panel (Chair)
  • Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights — Board of Directors (Chair)
  • Charis of Minnesota, Inc. —  Board of Directors (Chair)
  • Excelsior Covenant Church — Chair and General Counsel
  • Minnehaha Academy —  Board of Education (Chair)
  • Innocence Project of Minnesota — Board of Directors

Firm Leadership

  • Pro Bono Committee

Honors

  • American Bar Association — Pro Bono Publico Award, 2024
  • Great North Innocence Project — Pro Bono Champions of the Year, 2023
  • Finance & Commerce/Minnesota Lawyer  — Icon, 2019
  • National Law Journa — ADR Champions Trailblazer, 2016
  • Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2020-23
  • Faegre Baker Daniels — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2014-16, 2018-19
  • Best Lawyers® — Commercial Litigation, 2009-25; Bet-the-Company Litigation, 2013-25; Antitrust Litigation, 2011-2025; Securities Litigation, 2011-25 (Lawyer of the Year 2023, 2017)
  • Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business — Litigation: General Commercial, 2008-16
  • Minnesota Super Lawyers — Business Litigation, 2003-19
  • Minnesota Law & Politics — Top 40 Business Litigators
  • Faegre Baker Daniels — John C. Benson Pro Bono Award
  • Minnesota Justice Foundation — Private Practice Award for Outstanding Community Service
  • Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights — Volunteer Award
  • Benchmark Litigation — Local Litigation Star, 2013-17, 2020
Awards Methodology
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.